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Students win awards at National History Day contest

Local eighth-graders, from left, Wilson Goins, Ethan Byrd, James Dillon, Larry Thomas and Mead Krowka give a Wright Brothers performance at Hendersonville High School on Monday. The group gave this performance last month during the 2013 National History Day competition at University of Maryland and placed fourth in the junior division. The students, along with Margaret Dillon, a rising senior, gave an encore performance on Monday for friends and family who could not attend the competition in Maryland.

MIKE DIRKS/TIMES-NEWS

Special to the Times-News

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 2, 2013 at 9:46 p.m.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Students from Henderson County and across North Carolina were nationally recognized with top prizes at the National History Day contest held at the University of Maryland College Park campus in the Washington, D.C. area June 9-13.

Henderson County's St. Dominic Savio Home School students James Dillon, Ethan Byrd, Mead Krowka, Wilson Goins and Larry Thomas took fourth place in the junior group performance category. Their performance was about the Wright Brothers, and their teacher was Lisa Dillon.

The students also won an award for Outstanding Entry Award for North Carolina.

For his documentary on the trial of John Peter Zenger, titled "Unexpected Verdict: The Trial of John Peter Zenger," eighth-grader Richard Hernasy of St. Dominic Savio Home School placed fifth in the junior individual documentary.

He also won the $1,000 Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers Prize for his use of historic newspapers to prove that the Zenger trial was a true turning point in history. The prize recognizes an outstanding entry that utilizes newspaper resources available through the Library of Congress. His teacher was Caroline Hernasy.

Margaret Dillon of St. Dominic Savio Home School placed 11th in the nation for her senior individual performance on Ellis Island. Her teacher was Lisa Dillon.

Placing first in the nation were Mooresville brothers Quinn and Ethan Shneider in the junior group documentary category for their entry about hydroelectricity and economic development.

"This is the first time in 20 years that a student from North Carolina has taken a first-place medal and we are thrilled," said Laura Ketcham, state coordinator for National History Day in North Carolina. "In addition, the array of awards won across a wide spectrum of competitive categories is outstanding. We are proud of all 68 North Carolina students who advanced from the state contest to the national contest in Maryland. Just making it to the national level is a great achievement."

The contest helps students develop skills in historical research, analysis, critical thinking, organization and presentation through an annual competition. Students design an exhibit, write a paper, produce a documentary, create a performance or develop a website centered around the annual theme.

"National History Day was an unforgettable experience that changed my life for the better in many ways — my speaking skills improved by learning how to respond to the judges questions, my video knowledge and research was much more creative, and the competition and activities were incredibly fun," Hernasy said.

Each year, more than half a million students, encouraged by thousands of teachers nationwide, participate in National History Day contests. This year more than 4,000 students from North Carolina participated.

More than 300 historians and other education professionals evaluate the students' work at the national competition. $150,000 worth of scholarships were awarded at the national awards ceremony to select students, and about 100 students took home cash prizes between $250 and $5,000 for superior work in a particular category of judging.

<p>COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Students from Henderson County and across North Carolina were nationally recognized with top prizes at the National History Day contest held at the University of Maryland College Park campus in the Washington, D.C. area June 9-13.</p><p>Henderson County's St. Dominic Savio Home School students James Dillon, Ethan Byrd, Mead Krowka, Wilson Goins and Larry Thomas took fourth place in the junior group performance category. Their performance was about the Wright Brothers, and their teacher was Lisa Dillon. </p><p>The students also won an award for Outstanding Entry Award for North Carolina.</p><p>For his documentary on the trial of John Peter Zenger, titled "Unexpected Verdict: The Trial of John Peter Zenger," eighth-grader Richard Hernasy of St. Dominic Savio Home School placed fifth in the junior individual documentary. </p><p>He also won the $1,000 Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers Prize for his use of historic newspapers to prove that the Zenger trial was a true turning point in history. The prize recognizes an outstanding entry that utilizes newspaper resources available through the Library of Congress. His teacher was Caroline Hernasy. </p><p>Margaret Dillon of St. Dominic Savio Home School placed 11th in the nation for her senior individual performance on Ellis Island. Her teacher was Lisa Dillon.</p><p>Placing first in the nation were Mooresville brothers Quinn and Ethan Shneider in the junior group documentary category for their entry about hydroelectricity and economic development.</p><p>"This is the first time in 20 years that a student from North Carolina has taken a first-place medal and we are thrilled," said Laura Ketcham, state coordinator for National History Day in North Carolina. "In addition, the array of awards won across a wide spectrum of competitive categories is outstanding. We are proud of all 68 North Carolina students who advanced from the state contest to the national contest in Maryland. Just making it to the national level is a great achievement."</p><p>The contest helps students develop skills in historical research, analysis, critical thinking, organization and presentation through an annual competition. Students design an exhibit, write a paper, produce a documentary, create a performance or develop a website centered around the annual theme.</p><p>"National History Day was an unforgettable experience that changed my life for the better in many ways — my speaking skills improved by learning how to respond to the judges questions, my video knowledge and research was much more creative, and the competition and activities were incredibly fun," Hernasy said. </p><p>Each year, more than half a million students, encouraged by thousands of teachers nationwide, participate in National History Day contests. This year more than 4,000 students from North Carolina participated.</p><p>More than 300 historians and other education professionals evaluate the students' work at the national competition. $150,000 worth of scholarships were awarded at the national awards ceremony to select students, and about 100 students took home cash prizes between $250 and $5,000 for superior work in a particular category of judging.</p><p>For more information, www.nchistoryday.org.</p>